Valentino Rossi to support Children in Need at Rally GB

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will carry the famous Pudsey bear logo for Children in Need on his Ford Focus when he competes in the Wales Rally GB next month.

Rossi will drive an M-Sport-run Ford Focus RS in the Wales Rally GB with co-driver Carlo Cassina, who was also alongside the 29-year-old when he made a brief appearance in the same rally back in 2002.

The Pudsey logo will adorn the wings of Rossi’s Ford Focus. With Wales Rally GB running just two weeks after the nationally-televised BBC Children in Need event, the charity will be using Rossi’s involvement to lead one final push for donations.

Children in Need’s Marc Phillips, said: “It’s a tremendous honour to have Valentino Rossi promoting BBC Children in Need. We have had a remarkable response to this year’s event on November 14th – and Wales Rally GB will be a fabulous final flourish for us. With a charity auction being held at the Service Park on the Friday night and volunteers collecting throughout the rally, it will be an important few days for us.”

Rossi said he was happy to carry the Pudsey logo on his car for the rally, which takes place between December 4-7.

“This is really exciting news. I’m looking forward to Wales Rally GB – and am hoping for a good result at next weekend’s Monza Rally in order to prepare for the forests.

I’m also delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need, which does such vital work in the UK. It’s a great charity and one I’m very pleased to be involved in, “said the eight-times world champion.

“We’re delighted to welcome Valentino Rossi to this year’s Wales Rally GB,” explained Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser International Motor Sports Ltd.

“He is a supreme ambassador for all forms of motor sport, as well as a remarkably-gifted sportsman. We look forward to seeing him take on the challenges of the Welsh forests.”